Dementia numbers in Canada

5%

The percentage of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s budget invested in dementia research

45%

The greater your risk of developing dementia if you smoke

65%

Of those diagnosed with dementia over the age of 65 are women

16,000

The number of Canadians under the age of 65 living with dementia

25,000

The number of new cases of dementia diagnosed every year

56,000

The number of Canadians with dementia being cared for in hospitals even though this is not an ideal location for care

564,000

Canadians are currently living with dementia

937,000

The number of Canadians who will be living with the disease in 15 years

1.1 million

The number of Canadians affected directly or indirectly by the disease

$10.4 billion

The annual cost to Canadians to care for those living with dementia

The Alzheimer Society of Canada is committed to providing accurate and reliable data on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in Canada. Statistics listed on this page are the most current available and are updated periodically when new reports and studies are issued.

Stigma and dementia

*An online survey of 1,506 Canadians was completed between November 9 and 14, 2017, using Leger’s online panel, LegerWeb. A probability sample of the same size would yield a margin of error of +/-2.5%, 19 times out of 20. In order to qualify, respondents needed to indicate that they’ve never been diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.